Only You

twenty-seven

My throat burned as the painful memories took over my mind.

"Yes, Sir," I replied as I turned around heading outside.

Silence fell on our once enthusiastic group as I walked towards my office with heavy steps.

"I'll do overtime too, you can't be left alone," Zahra said.

"Me too," Jacob and Ruth followed.

I wanted to reply and tell them they didn't have to bother, but my words were stuck in my throat. I feared that if I talked it would unleash the sob I was holding on to so hard.

I turned to them and shook my head lightly.

"I'm fine, please don't," I said in a soft voice.

"I have to go, but I'll be right around here. When the shift is over let's meet by the reception." He said smiling reassuringly at me before hurrying away.

"You guys are going to be late you should go," I said turning around and going inside my office.

I closed the door and slid down it. I covered my mouth with my hand tightly not being able to breathe I cried and cried.

Why is that the sweetest memories hurt the most?

- - - - - - - -

I came out of the surgery theatre after finishing an Appendectomy, my eyes were puffed and my shift was finally over.

Though it wasn't really over, I had to wait for emergency cases but on the bright side, I would do it with my best friends.

I walked to the reception and saw Jacob waiting there on his phone.

"Hey, were you waiting long?" I said.

"No, I just got here. How are you feeling?" He said

"I'm tired," I said

"It's going to be okay, I promise." He smiled at me.

"I'm going to go get some coffee for us." He said.

I nodded at him as he left. I looked at the end of the hallway and saw the abstract painting.

"I was just looking at how elegant, that painting is,"

"Try to pull through okay?"

I shook my thoughts away tried to distract myself. Thankfully my phone began to ring.

Just when I about get my phone out of my pocket the elevator opened, revealing Ruth and Zahra. I ignored the call and turned to them.

"AYYY!" Zahra called.

"You're energetic." I eyed her.

"Oh come on it's only ten, this is nothing compared to the night shifts."

"You have to turn in your recording of overtime though," Ruth added.

"Former receptionist," Zahra said pointing at Ruth and then blowing raspberries while giving a thumbs down.

"Leave my girl alone," Jacob walked in

"Ew!" Zahra and I said.

"Ok fine," Jacob said.

"Leave my Cutie Patootie alone!" He said in his squeaky voice,

"Gross!" the three of us yelled.

Our phone ranged at the same time hinting an emergency.

"Let's get to work," Zahra said in a dead tone.

We all rushed down to the ER and attended our patients. It was yet another drunk driver car accident resulting in an injury of the two kids who had been sitting in the back. I was relieved to check their X-rays and find no internal wounds.

Throughout the night our energy only lasted for so long and I convinced Jacob and Ruth to head home seeing their red eyes. Zahra stayed with me because we were going to go home together tonight.

It was 11:42 and we turned in our sheets and left the hospital.

I got into the driver's seat and took my phone out to put in the holder. The screen opened and showed me I had 13 missed calls and 20 messages.

"What the heck?" I said opening the messages.

"Get home quickly, Humza's parents came over and their getting into a heated discussion." I read the text from Bhabi.

I quickly switched on the car and rushed home. Zahra and I ran to the door and I fetched out my keys.

"Asalam Alaikum," we entered.

I met the faces of Shaheen Aunty and Muhammad Uncle, as well as Dr. Khan.

"What's going on?" I said, nervously approaching them

"Huda beta we want to know what happened?" Aunty asked,

I gulped as I thought of what to say. My face and ears starting turning red.

"I don't know what to say, Aunty, I am so sorry," I mumbled.

All of them looked straight at me and I felt like fainting.

"Huda, can I see you for a moment?" Huzaifah called,

I nodded and followed him into the kitchen.

"Huzaifah, please talk to them. I don't know why Mariam hasn't spoken to Aunty yet but I don't know how to break it off myself." I started.

"Huda-" He began before he got cut off by another man's voice.

"Mariam talked to you?" Dr.Khan said,

I looked at him nervously and stuttered.

"I don't know," I said.

"I told you, we'd be fine. This is why I told you first," He said.

"I can't do this, I can't do that to Haniah and Yo-,"

"DNA isn't the only thing that makes someone a mother Huda, I wouldn't have gotten into this marriage if I wanted to be with someone else all along. Why did you run away that night? I could've fixed this.. fixed us. I don't love her, Huda," He said.

Tears fell out of my eyes as I shut them close.

"I can't-" I began

Dr. Khan paused and took a look at me.

"But I can." He said leaving the kitchen

"I'm so scared Huzaifah." I cried.

"Trust Allah and his ways. What's not meant for you can't reach you even if it's beneath your nose." He said pulling my head to his chest.

We walked out to the kitchen and back to the living room.

"We're going to get married." Dr. Khan announced looking at me.

I looked down and bit my lip.

I took a deep breath and muttered; Allahu aʿlam (God knows best.)